Compare New John Lennon ‘Imagine’ Ultimate Mixes to Original LP

We have the exclusive premiere of two videos that allow listeners to compare parts of the original 1971 mix with the new 2018 versions.

The videos, which you can watch below, contain bits of all 10 songs and archival footage of Lennon and Yoko Ono, who oversaw the project. As you can hear, the Ultimate Mixes, created by Grammy-winning engineer Paul Hicks, provide a richer sonic experience, bringing out elements that were lower in the mix while still giving plenty of room for the songs to breathe. It's particularly noticeable on "Jealous Guy" and "Gimme Some Truth."

Listen to Selections From Side A of 'Imagine'

Listen to Selections From Side B of 'Imagine'

Arriving on Oct. 5, Imagine: The Ultimate Collection contains 140 tracks, including 5.1 surround sound mixes, raw studio mixes and a "Quadrosonic Album Mix" that recreates the quadrophonic sound of the day. Also included are outtakes, rarities, isolated elements that were edited into the final version and an "audio montage" that shows the evolution of each song from the demo to the completed version.

The box set is part of a slew of Imagine-related material that is coming in October. Imagine John Yoko, which comes out on Oct. 9 (on what would have been Lennon's 78th birthday), a 320-page hardcover book about the album, with recollections from more than 40 people who were close to the Lennons at the time, and photos and film stills from Ono's personal archives.

Two films, Imagine and Gimme Some Truth, are also coming to DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms on Oct. 5. Imagine, a restoration of the documentary about the making of the album with never-before-seen footage, will also be screened in theaters around the world beginning on Sept. 17.